Leave Alba along Viale Cherasca. Once across the bridge, over the river and the subsequent level crossing, turn left onto Via Barbaresco, which comes to an end after about 300 m (325 yards) and turns into an uphill dirt trail, that runs alongside a fenced property (watch out for the dogs) and leads to a steep wooden stairway. Once at the top, turn left onto the asphalt in the direction of Agriturismo La Meridiana. At the agriturismo, another dirt trail runs along the property and up the Altavilla hill. Keep to the left through the fields and hazelnut grove until the final climb to the right. This will take you to the top of the hill and the paved road. The road will turn to gravel and take you through the Tanaro rock formations and the Pertinace Valley. This is the hill from which, on October 10, 1944, the Langhe resistance fighters descended onto Alba and occupied it, even though for just 23 days, a period in which the town was declared a republic and that was told by Beppe Fenoglio, a partisan himself, in one of his most famous works.
The five crus of this hill (i.e., Pora, Fasèt, Asili, Martinenga, and Rabajà) are among the most famous of all Barbaresco crus. You reach the crest near the small San Teobado Chapel, where the trail to the left of the road runs parallel to this road into the ancient village of Barbaresco, with its marvelous medieval tower (the current one dates back to the 14th century, erected by Visconti, and has been refurbished and is accessible), the village literally immersed in vineyards of Nebbiolo, the most regal of the Langhe grapes. You absolutely must take a look around this town and enjoy the local wine! Leave the village along Via Cavazza (next to Enoteca Regionale, in Confraternita di San Donato, a veritable temple of wine that is not to be missed), crossing the main highway and heading down to the small hamlet of Montestefano (another renowned cru, much like the nearby Montefico, Cole and Ronchi), which acts as a sort of viewpoint for the ancient village of Neive Alto. At the first house, turn left down a steep trail with switchbacks that starts out paved and then turns to dirt. Follow this to the bottom of the valley, where you will turn right into an enchanting poplar grove. Turn left after around a hundred metres and continue on parallel to the train tracks, then cross the tracks at the concrete overpass. Not far from there, you will arrive at Cascina Principe, where the road is again paved. Turn left to the intersection with the main highway.
From here, head down a slow incline almost to the main highway, but turn left right before it along a lane, which will turn ninety degrees to the right and head steeply downhill to the main highway. Turn left here, then right at the next intersection (Trezzo Tinella). Cross the bridge and take the uphill trail to the right. Keep to the left towards Cascina Castellizzano, which stands out on top of the hill. When almost to the top of the hill, turn right onto another headland trail. Once at the Castellizzano farmhouse, follow the paved road to the San Stefanetto Chapel (another pleasantly panoramic spot). Turn left here and head through the ancient hamlet of Bongiovanni (example of a small, fortified village with houses along the walls on both sides and which once had gates blocking the way at night), which is one of the two historic hamlets of Treiso (the other being Cravè, beyond the church square).
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Bar to Bar - Barbaresco - Barolo
The Bar to Bar itinerary, a 7-stage circuit from Barbaresco to Barolo and back again (you can choose the direction), crosses a significant chunk of the Langhe Roero territory along low-traffic roads and trails, through woods and an array of uniquely beautiful landscapes.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 1A: Cascina Ambrogio (Neive) - Neive
Variant of the Leg Alba Treiso, with a brief detour from the original path, discovering a different way to reach the centre of Neive.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 2A: Cascina Alberta (Treiso) - San Rocco Seno d'Elvio (Alba)
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Bar to Bar - Leg 3: San Bovo (Castino) - Niella Belbo
This long leg through the most untamed part of the Langhe features the old salt roads once traveled by wayfaring merchants, the peace and tranquility of the woods, and isolated villages that, together, make for some breathtaking panoramas.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 4: Niella Belbo - Roddino
Giunti in cresta, lo spartiacque ci offre la vista della lontana Valle Tanaro, circondata ormai dalle Alpi Marittime e della romantica torre di Murazzano. Imbocchiamo a destra la statale per prendere quindi subito a sinistra il bivio per il Parco Safari e, poco dopo, superato il colmo, trovare a destra la nostra via di cresta di erba e ciottoli che corre sul crinale del Passo della Bossola.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 5: Roddino - Monforte d'Alba
From Roddino, a village on the border between the Alta Langa and the Barolo wine region, you will now return to the winemaking heart of the area as you walk among some of the most famous of the Barolo crus and stop to visit amazing villages that are simply overflowing with history.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 5A: Serralunga d'Alba - Monforte d'Alba
Variant of the Leg 5, from Serralunga to Monforte by way of Castiglione Falletto for a somewhat different point of view over the landscape that surrounds you.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 6: Monforte d'Alba - Verduno
Another leg immersed in the Barolo wine region through the most famous, most sought-after crus among wine lovers around the world, as you take in this sea of vineyards from a privileged vantage point in La Morra.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 6A: Case Nuove - Novello
Variant of the Leg 6, a brief detour towards Novello to enjoy a view of the Alps in the distance.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 7: Verduno - Alba
For the last leg of this long circuit throughout the Langhe region, the itinerary takes you from Verduno, where a stop at its Belvedere vista point, looking out over Roddi, is certainly worth your time, and on to Alba, the “City of a Hundred Towers.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 2: Treiso - San Bovo (Castino)
From Treiso, in the heart of the Barbaresco wine region, this leg takes you to San Bovo di Castino as you witness the shift in the landscape from the endless blanket of vineyards to woods, hazelnut groves and rock formations.
Find out morePLEASE NOTE: Responsibility for the maintenance and practicability of the various trails lies with the municipalities where the routes are located. The Tourist Board, therefore, cannot be held responsible for any inefficiencies, but is willingly available to collect your reports so that they can be forwarded to the authorities concerned.
